McGregor had been scheduled to headline the historic event in a welterweight rematch with Nate Diaz, but McGregor was removed from the card because he would not travel to Las Vegas to participate in promotional activities last week.
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In McGregor’s recent tweet, he thanked White and fellow UFC executive Lorenzo Fertitta for putting him back on the UFC 200 fight card. “He knew what the deal was, I told him what the deal was, and he opted to do that”, White pointed out. Diaz defeated McGregor in a short notice fight at UFC 196 on March 5.
“Listen, he’ll fight on 201, 202, 203, whatever, I don’t know when, but we’ll get it figured out”, White said on Monday.
Three months after Jones defeated Cormier by decision in January 2015 to record his eighth consecutive title defense, Jones was arrested in Albuquerque on a felony hit-and-run charge and stripped of his UFC title.
“Notorious” then threatened to quit the sport before back-tracking on his protest, saying he was still willing to fight at UFC 200 on the condition the expected promotional work was reduced. There were things Conor needed, and I was willing to make sure Conor would have the things he needed when he landed in Las Vegas, when he came to NY or wherever else we went.
Originally, Jones was set to meet Cormier, who won the vacant title in Jones’ absence, in UFC 197’s main event Saturday night.
White admitted removing McGregor from the card was an “unpopular” decision, but a necessary one. With a few more months to sharpen his sword, the kickboxer is confident that his new teammate can still get it done at UFC 200.
“I don’t believe greatness is a coincidence, and I don’t believe D.C.is great”, Jones said.
The rift between McGregor and the UFC seems wide at the moment and White confirmed he has had no contact with the 27-year-old in recent days.
In a lengthy statement, McGregor shared that he was asking the UFC to give him leeway as he prepares to avenge his defeat.
Frankie Edgar spoke (via MMAjunkie) about his fight with Jose Aldo at UFC 200. You show up like that, I’m gonna beat that ass.
“In my last fight, I had a lot of stuff stacked up against me”.
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Cormier and Jones have a well-documented history.
